Umar Akmal and Junaid Khan fined for spat during Pakistan Cup

Pakistan cricketers Umar Akmal and Junaid Khan were fined because of their spat in the Pakistan Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed a hefty fine of 50 percent of their match fees for their misconduct. The incident sparked off following Junaid Khan’s absence in a Pakistan Cup match. The left-arm pacer missed the game due to health-related issues.

However, Umar Akmal, captaining the Punjab side, seemed to think Junaid was missing the game on purpose. In response, Junaid Khan lashed out at Umar Akmal in a video statement. The incident which should have been handled by the team management became a matter of public debate and went ugly.

A PCB release later said, “The PCB has imposed a fine of 50 per cent of the match fee to Umar and Junaid for their misconduct at the Pakistan Cup held last month in Rawalpindi. The Board has also warned the two players that they will be under observation for a month starting 18th May and re-occurrence of breach of discipline will lead to one month suspension.”

Akmal’s allegations and Junaid’s response:

Umar was earlier reported as saying in a television interview, “I just found out when I walked into the ground that he [Junaid] is absent. I am very surprised. The manager and coach told me he is not going to be playing today. It’s shocking news for me, as captain.”

To respond to Umar Akmal’s remark, Junaid said, “I am saddened to hear the remarks Umar Akmal made on television, saying ‘I ran away from the team’. I have not run away. I am dealing with food poisoning and the team management is aware of it. In fact, I was advised by the team doctor not to play today. Umar Akmal knew of this, and it was a shock for me to hear him say what he did, and I don’t know why he said it.”

Unfortunately for Umar Akmal, this isn’t the first time he’s been getting into trouble. Back in 2014, he found himself in jail for getting into a brawl with a traffic police official. The PCB had to put in place a three-member committee to look into the issue.